Updates!

Go to this post on my craft blog for an update! My grandpa recently passed away and I was able to spend some time with family. Check out the photos!

New to My Blog?

Check out these links to some of my favorite stories shared on this blog!

Wild Horses, Airplanes, and Things That Bite

Can Sticks Float Upstream?

December 2002: Harley Saves Christmas!

Bear Traps

Cow Slippers, Metros, and Things That Make Me Laugh

Repo Man: These Guys Are Dedicated To Their Jobs

"To The Moon, Bart"

Extension Cords and Cuss Words

Disappearing In The Night, Cobra and Other Updates

It's Like Being Smacked In The Kidneys 3000 Times

Confusing Words Can Lead to Embarrassing Moments

When Things Turn "Sour"

Unsolved Mysteries Made Me Crazy

Check out my craft blog too Itching2Bstitching

Busy Busy

If there was an equivalent for neglect to a blog like there is for adult protective services, I would be charged on major neglect!!!! I have been so busy keeping up my blog in the "craft world" that I have SEVERELY neglected this blog. This semester of school mixed with life has really challenged me on making time count. I am currently completing 400 hours of field work and finally getting a chance to "practice" social work!! I don't know if many people can relate to this, but it feels so good to finally find a career where my talents, interests and the basic enjoyment of going to a job I like have finally met. I have often wondered on my journey if I would ever get to have a career that I would enjoy.

SO - anyway - back to the good time stories of our lives! I have enjoyed sharing this blog and have enjoyed so many people seeing the humor in our lives. I have set the goal to post once a week on here. I need to pick up the pace people!!!

Let me kick off this week with an honor that was bestowed to me! I received the BFF Gold Card award! So here are the rules:

The rules are:

1. Only five people allowed.

2. Four of them have to be dedicated followers of your blog and one has to be new and live in another part of the world.

3. You have to link back to who gave you the award.

Aunt Pitty Pat's has been a friend who has followed my craft blog and she nominated this blog as one she likes! How awesome. So here are my five folks you MUST check out!

1. SarahsCorner - http://sarahscorner.com/ Awesome girl and such a FAST seamstress!

2. I'm a Ginger Monkey - http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/ Not only is she funny - and I mean hilarious - but SO talented

3. C Berry Baby - http://cberrybaby.blogspot.com/ So creative and a beautiful family!

4. Sew Much Fabric, So Little Time - http://beezekneesfashions.blogspot.com/ I have nominated her before for other awards, but man, she is the queen of knocking projects out!!!

5. Niki's Knacks - http://nikisknacks.blogspot.com/ She has recently joined my blog followers, and her blog is too cute. Check it out!

Thanks to Aunt Pitty Pat's for nominating me. Go check out these awesome blogs! Check back soon for more humorous stories (believe me - we were busy this summer making memories)!

Breast Cancer Awareness Apron Giveaway

Check out my craft blog to see my apron giveaway to help raise awareness of breast cancer!

Help me get the word out!!

Fabric Scrap Swap

I am hosting a Fabric Scrap Swap! Consider joining in on the fun! Click here for more details!

I am still alive!!!

Sorry for the lack of anything but dead air around this blog lately. I have been a crafting fool with my craft blog and with school just ending last week, I am slowly coming around to the living again. I have much to share and will try to catch up soon. I have a couple more projects to complete and then I will return!! In the mean time - check out my craft blog and see what I have been up to!!!

Book Update

A couple of posts ago I talked about how I wanted to read a book by or about a woman each month. Well, I am still working on Vindication of the Rights of Woman. This book takes some time to read and to think about. So, to try and help myself keep my goal but not overwhelm myself, I read Cool Women this month. Cool Women is a great book which showcases several women from different cultural backgrounds. The women discussed were warriors, authors, musicians, pilots and suffragists. If you are wanting to read a book about women but are pressed for time, Cool Women is a great book option. Plus - I checked my copy out from my local library - so you may not even have to buy the book! Try it out and let me know what you think!!

Contest on My Craft Blog

Stop by my craft blog and participate in a naming contest for my dress form. The winner will receive a craft apron prize. Check it out and spread the word!

"A Time To Break Silence"

I found the speech in audio version and underneath the audio is the speech written out. All in one location. The speech was delivered by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967. He was addressing such issues as the Vietnam war, but also subjects of racism and poverty. Listen to the words of his speech and consider - has our world changed since 1967 or have we made little progress since King's speech? I have my own opinion but have decided to refrain from blogging about it. It is more important to me that you listen to the speech without bias - either negative or positive. This speech was introduced to me on Monday night through a guest speaker we had in my Human Behavior and Diverse Populations course. It was an inspirational class and made every dollar that I spend to receive my education worth it!! Please make the time to listen or read the speech and consider what your reaction or call to action might be. It will take close to an hour to listen to, so if you are pressed for time, read a little bit each day found below the audio. "Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence" by Martin Luther King Jr.

Trying to Find a Link

We discussed Rev Martin Luther King Jr in class Monday and talked about one of his most influential speeches in class. I am trying to find a link to it now so you can listen to it if you would like to at some point. I am also looking for a book that has the speech in case you don't have the time to listen to the speech. I was going to blog about all we discussed but I think his speech is all that needs to be said. What he said 40 years ago applies to today! It isn't his I Have A Dream Speech - so look forward to some good stuff! I will get it up as soon as I find it!

Great Class Tonight

We had such a great guest speaker tonight in class. There is so much to say and consider but I am still putting all my thoughts together. I will post tomorrow or Wednesday with some thoughts he shared with us. Very motivational, inspirational and reflective!! Can't wait to share!

Swap Bot

My posts have been a little slow on here because I have been so busy working on my crafts and crafting blog! I have joined a website Swap-Bot, where you sign up to participate in different swaps. I have joined some where you swap aprons, fat quarters of fabric, and where you shop for people based upon their first names. Not all swaps entail sewing either. There are bookmarks, books, candles, candies, etc. If you are looking for something fun to do or to make friends all over the country (I have met some international friends through this site), take a peek and think about joining a swap. It is so much fun!!

Woman Of Honor

Last day of honoring women from history. I debated back and forth who to use, so instead of using a woman from history today - let's change it up.

I am honoring all women today - that includes you. Here is to the many roles that we fill each day and for the roles we have yet to break in to. Take a day to consider all the great things you have done in your life, even if we won't be on a list the world remembers. We have all done great things!!!

Thanks to any of you who have taken the time to read and gain more knowledge on who came before us!

Don't forget to check out the National Women's History Project if you would like more information!

Becoming Who I Want To Be

I had a great conversation last night with my husband about some changes I want to make. Have you ever been going through life and then all of the sudden - it is like someone took the mask over your eyes off? I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want from life and who I want to be. I realized the other night while reading that I put most of my worth and opinions in what my husband thinks - and not because he has forced this or requires this. It has been my doing. I made a common error I think a lot of women would agree they have done as well. In fact - my husband is excited about what changes I want to make as it was constantly putting pressure on him when it shouldn't have in the first place. So here are some of my proposals:

• I want to be a different type of wife - one who has an independent identity, can do for herself and holds strong to my opinions - while also participating in a marriage of love, respect and honor to my husband. I can do both!!!
• I want to learn to love myself and find my own worth without requiring my husband to have to fill my worth with his words. I want his affirmations to add to the love I have for myself already!
• I want to be more open-minded to the new people I meet
• I want to celebrate being a woman and having the rights I have to work, equality and the freedom to read, write and think
• I want to be strong but gentle spirited
• I will no longer give other's the power I have given in the past to form my opinions, judgements or hide my opinions for fear I may upset someone. This does not mean I will start railroading people with my opinions, but I will not let fear of another person's reaction keep me from participating in open discussions with others.
• I will celebrate my individuality and talents. I will stop comparing myself to other women and their talents. I am capable and have the ability to do many things and I will be grateful for what I can do - not what I lack
• I will begin to accept my weaknesses as a part of who I am and begin to stop the control a perfectionist lifestyle has begun to create in me
• I will love my body regardless of how it fits into clothing and I will work on becoming healthy - not necessarily skinny
• I will support groups in the community I feel strongly about - advocating for those who have need

I decided to post about this so publicly on my blog to give myself a form of accountability. These are real things I want to begin to implement into my life and I want to give my husband a break for all that I have demanded of him in the past. He is not responsible for the joy, happiness and needs in my life. I am responsible for those and I am fortunate to have him to share to my life and journey with.

I would be interested in what many of you think as women at any age. I think sometimes it becomes really hard for women as we begin marriages or partnerships, careers and families to remember who we are. I think it is easy to get swept up into the needs of everything around us that we often work on ourselves last. I believe we need to work on our own happiness and goals to be a better person to those around us. We were talking in class on Tuesday about the third wave of feminism and I think it is the greatest age of the feminist movement yet. The third wave movement encompasses women having the right to decide. Some women don't want to marry and some do. Each of those decisions is okay because each woman had the CHOICE to make their own decision. I think the best part of the movement is that it allows women to come together - even when we disagree - for the movement of our gender. What do you think??

Craft Question!

If anyone knows some great reading materials on how to smock - visit my craft blog and leave me a comment. Thanks for your help!!!

Chasing "My Dream"

If you remember, I have a made a "Tracey's Dreams To Do List". On my list I mentioned chasing my number one dream. I kept myself from sharing what that hope was due to being intimidated by what I want to do. I have started to read a book on how to capture my dream and the first assignment is reflection and gathering information. So - I decided I would no longer intimidate myself and share with you all what my dream is. I have decided to write a book - whether it publishes or never leaves my desk - I am going to do it. What type of book? I have always admired David Sedaris and Amy Sedaris and the humorous stories they share. I have had so many experiences that are funny that I would love to compile all of them into one place.

This is where I need your help. I can remember some pretty funny experiences, but I cannot remember them all. I have shared so many funny situations with many of you. If you can remember something that happened - drop me an email. Don't feel obligated to type a whole situation out. Maybe give me a couple of reminders and I will see if I can't recall them.

Like I said earlier - I don't know if this will ever go anywhere - but I said I wanted to write a book. Maybe once I have reached the goal I can consider if it is good enough to attempt to publish. Thank you for your help. Who knows - maybe you'll see your name in the book??????

Racism is real

Often I sit in my social work classes wondering how our system can be corrected to help those who need it and how America can overcome obstacles to heal and be a better nation. I am committing my life to work for the better of those who cannot reach the basics and the needs that everyday life demands. My hope is that you will find a way to help America be the nation that we have the resources to be! Regardless of how you feel about the presidental race or even Barack Obama, you should consider listening to his last speech delivered in PA. By listening to this speech, it does not require that you agree with him or suddenly decide to support him. My hope is that it will encourage and inspire you to consider Race and how it does divide America. Regardless of what you feel Obama's motives were behind the speech, please just listen to the message he IS delivering. His message does contain his aspirations to be President, but listen to the truths he discusses about all races and the need to unite and heal. If you disagree or dislike Senator Obama, I respect your right and understand if you would prefer to not listen to the speech. However, if you can take his speech and consider how Racism affects your life and those around you and start to consider what we can do to help other human beings out - I say it was worth the time you invested to watch his speech. If you do decide to pass on the speech, I ask that you refrain from negative comment posting on my blog. I respect your right to feel differently and ask for only positive comments to be left if the speech so moves you to do. Thank you and enjoy A More Perfect Union.

When things turn "Sour"

Not too long after Bart and I were married, we stopped in OKC to see his family. One morning, Debbie, my mother-in-law took us to breakfast at a donut shop before we ran some errands. All three of us settled in to eat some donuts and have some milk. As we start eating Bart tears open his milk and throws his head back, taking a big drink. Instantly, he leans forward and spits milk into the container, making a horrible face and sound. Debbie and I look at Bart to see what is wrong and he says with great distaste (ha ha - good pun) "The milk is spoiled". At this point, I am pretty sure that Bart has turned green. Bart takes a look at my milk too. The date on the carton says the 11th. We thought it said the 17th. Bart takes the cartons up to the counter to alert the clerk that she is selling spoiled milk.

Now here is where most of you can probably figure out the rest of the story, right? She takes the milk and says thank you for helping me catch this. Think of all the people and children who are ingesting this nasty concoction of grossness!!!

WRONG. She looks at Bart and says, (I swear I am not making this up!!) "What do you want me to do about it? The milk guy was already here this morning"

Bart doesn't get angry often, but when this little vein in his forehead comes out, that is the time I personally choose to step back and usually warn others to join me. Bart's response went something like this, "What you can do is give me new drinks - orange juice- and maybe you should consider contacting the milk guy before anyone else drinks spoiled milk?"

We got little cartons of orange juice and the day continued on great. I, however, thought it was hilarious!!! I couldn't stop laughing and still to this day, I can still hear Bart's "animated spitting spoiled milk out" sound. He doesn't quite see it as funny as I do.

But years later - he would take his revenge!!! Just last year - there was a week where I wasn't feeling so great. It would come and go. I would feel great and then my stomach would start to hurt. All week I investigated the foods I ate, the drinks I had, etc - anything to track down why I felt so horrible. Bart had been fixing me dessert all week - being the nice guy that he is. Well, about the 5th night, I decided I would get my own snack. I got out some mini cupcakes (YUM) and I thought - I will pour myself a glass of milk - like I had been drinking all week. To my horror, I open the refrigerator to find TWO containers of milk. My mind starts racing - "Didn't I tell Bart when we were cleaning the house to make sure and toss the one milk because it had expired???" OMG - "I have been drinking sour milk all week!! That is why I feel so bad"

I confront Bart with the evidence to hear him say, "I thought that was the good milk".
So now he just confessed to not only giving me sour milk but also to the fact he knew there were two milk containers in the refrigerator and one should have been trashed!!!! He still claims he is "not guilty" to this day and that it was an honest mistake. I say it sure seems like he finds more humor in sour milk now than he use to!!!

What's In A Name

I have joined a swap with some different criteria! All you have to do is once you are assigned a partner's name, go to their blog, find out what they like, and then send them items. Here is any example:

T - a train
R- a razor
A - an apron
C- candy canes
E- pink envelopes and stationary
Y- Yarn

(I don't actually like some of these items, they are just examples!!)The items have to start with the letter of the partner's name and be things that they like listed on their blogs. Too fun! Join the fun here!

Unsolved Mysteries Made Me Crazy!!

When I was younger, my favorite show was Unsolved Mysteries. I loved that show even when it scared me! Unfortunately, my interest in shows that solve cases and deals with murder and kidnapping has probably led me to be a bit weird. I am the girl that enters the room and looks for exits and scans the crowd. Now, I do not allow this interest to intercede on my living. I still go out and do things, still meet new people through groups and don't let the evils of the world keep me in my house. I guess I am probably more cautious - that is a better description.

Let me share a humorous story about a time when I was overly cautious and made my friends laugh.

When I lived in Tulsa I worked at a Pediatric clinic in a big medical building. When the time came to start thinking about moving to Texas I began collecting boxes from the different clinics. The security guard would keep a supply of boxes thrown out in the water heater closet. Now, that seems like a nice thing to do, but if you are a creepy security guard, nothing nice you do can replace your creepiness. He was an older man who frequently checked out my friends and me when leaving the building. He would often hold the elevator and then ride with me to the parking garage even after I said it wasn't necessary.

When I needed boxes, he usually had them by his station and I would pull my car around and load up. Out of nowhere one day he says that the boxes are back in the water heater room. The water heater room was far down a hallway all the way at the back - out of sight. I had left work late that day, so the normally busy lobby was dead silent. So, not wanting to be offensive I followed him back there. I began thinking of ways I could let people know I was back in this room with the security guard. Then I came up with the great idea that I would have a conversation with this guard - AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TALKING that I could muster. As he was picking up boxes, I began with this conversation:

"I DON'T THINK I HAVE FORMALLY INTRODUCED MYSELF. MY NAME IS TRACEY SMITH (Not my real last name - but hey - I have privacy issues). I WORK UPSTAIRS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN BACK IN THE WATER HEATER ROOM. LOOK AT US - YOU AND ME - MR SECURITY GUARD PICKING UP THESE BOXES IN THE WATER HEATER ROOM. IT SURE IS DARK AND COLD IN THIS WATER HEATER ROOM THAT YOU AND I ARE IN MR SECURITY GUARD. I BETTER GRAB SOME BOXES AND RUN OUT OF THIS COLD WATER HEATER ROOM. I WORK IN THE BUILDING AND LIVE DOWN THE STREET WITH MY BIG HUSBAND WHO STARTS TO SEARCH FOR ME IF I AM EVEN 1 MINUTE LATE (which is a total lie - I always beat my husband home.)"

Now I know from his perspective he was probably saying in his mind, "I should have told someone that I was down in this room with this crazy loud chick?" I grabbed a handful of boxes and practically ran down the hallway. I threw them in the back of my vehicle and he did the same.

He then asked, "Do you want anymore boxes?" I needed more but as I heard the theme song from Unsolved Mysteries playing in the back of my mind, I decided to cut my losses and decline more boxes.

As I told my friends the next day about my experience I received lots of laughing and lots of questioning like, "You did not shout out like that, did you?" My response,

"Yes I did and that is why I am still alive and well!!!!"